What You're Experiencing and What to Do
You have a common cold (viral upper respiratory infection), and the discharge coming from your eyes when you blow your nose is due to the connection between your nasal passages and tear ducts—this is normal and not dangerous. The nasolacrimal duct connects your nose to your eyes, so increased pressure from nose-blowing can force mucus through this pathway 1, 2.
Understanding Your Symptoms
Your symptoms are typical of a viral cold, which is self-limited and usually resolves within 10-14 days without antibiotics 1. The nasal discharge (even if discolored) does not indicate bacterial infection—it simply reflects inflammation and the presence of white blood cells, not bacteria 1.
Recommended Treatment Approach
For Nasal Congestion and Discharge
Start with short-term decongestants as your primary treatment:
- Oral decongestants (pseudoephedrine 60mg every 4-6 hours) provide modest relief for nasal congestion, with approximately 4-6% improvement over placebo 2, 3, 4
- Topical nasal decongestants (oxymetazoline, xylometazoline) work faster but must be limited to 3-5 days maximum to prevent rebound congestion (rhinitis medicamentosa) 1, 3, 4
Important contraindications: Avoid oral decongestants if you have uncontrolled hypertension, significant heart disease, hyperthyroidism, or glaucoma 3, 4
For Multiple Symptoms
Combination antihistamine-analgesic-decongestant products provide the best overall symptom relief, with approximately 1 in 4 patients experiencing significant improvement 2
For Specific Symptoms
- For runny nose (rhinorrhea): Ipratropium bromide nasal spray is specifically effective for reducing nasal discharge, though it won't help congestion 2, 3
- For pain/headache: NSAIDs (ibuprofen) or acetaminophen; NSAIDs also help with sneezing 2
- Nasal saline irrigation: Provides modest benefit and is safe to use as often as needed 2, 3
Additional Considerations
If you started treatment within 24 hours of symptom onset:
- Zinc lozenges (≥75 mg/day) can significantly reduce cold duration, though they may cause bad taste and nausea 2, 5, 6
What NOT to Do
Do not take antibiotics—they are completely ineffective for viral colds and cause more harm than benefit through side effects and antibiotic resistance 1, 2. Even if your nasal discharge is yellow or green, this does not indicate bacterial infection 1.
Do not use:
- Intranasal corticosteroids (not effective for common cold) 2, 3
- Second-generation antihistamines alone (cetirizine, loratadine)—these are for allergies, not colds 2, 3
- Steam inhalation (no proven benefit) 1, 6
Critical Safety Warning
Never use topical nasal decongestants for more than 3-5 consecutive days—this will cause severe rebound congestion that is worse than your original symptoms 1, 3, 4
When to Seek Further Care
Follow up with a clinician if:
- Symptoms worsen or persist beyond 10-14 days 1, 2
- You develop severe symptoms: high fever >102°F (39°C), severe unilateral facial pain, or significant worsening after initial improvement 1, 7
- You experience vision changes, severe headache, or neck stiffness (rare complications) 7
The Eye-Nose Connection Explained
The phenomenon you're experiencing—discharge coming from your eyes when blowing your nose—occurs because the nasolacrimal duct creates a direct pathway between your nasal cavity and the inner corner of your eye. When you blow your nose forcefully, you create pressure that can push mucus backward through this duct. This is anatomically normal and will resolve as your cold improves. Gentle nose-blowing rather than forceful blowing may reduce this effect 1.